SOUTH-SOUTH SGBV ONLINE HUB OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

The South-South SGBV Prevention Information Hub, facilitated by Gender and Development Action (GADA), was established in 2023 and in 2024, commenced online activities through various platforms. At inception, over one hundred participants drawn from all the States in the zone namely- Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers were registered to participate in the hub activities. The primary objectives for the year were to attract and retain a sizeable membership, amplify SGBV advocacy through campaigns, build capacity, ensure member organizations are compliant with government guidelines for registration, and to share programme lessons and experiences.

Despite initial concerns about the challenges of managing an online platform for groups and individuals that had not previously collaborated, GADA has made notable progress. In the first year of operation, the hub focused on strengthening collective understanding of the response to SGBV in the region, building capacity of members, planning and implementing advocacy initiatives and providing useful information, resources, and training on SGBV and addressing organizational strengthening issues. However, it continues to confront several challenges particularly related to the diversity of expectations and priorities of participants, fluctuating levels of participation, poor internet connection especially for members in rural areas and difficulty building trust and ownership as a collective. This report highlights the key activities undertaken in 2024.

Capacity Building

The Hub hosted webinars to build the capacity of CSOs and stakeholders, covering legal frameworks for SGBV prevention, grant application essentials, project management, legal compliance for non-profits, and corporate governance for CSOs with a focus on SGBV. The following Webinars were conducted.

Applying the VAPP Act and ACJL to Combat SGBV (August 2, 2024)

Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., a well-known legal practitioner and gender advocate in Rivers State, led an online seminar on the application of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. The session highlighted the importance of these legal instruments in addressing SGBV, emphasizing the need for public awareness, specialized training for law enforcement, and collaboration with NGOs. The online seminar underscored the role of CSOs in bridging the gap between legal frameworks and their practical implementation.

Grant Application Essentials (September 30, 2024)

Tolani Adeboye, Resource Mobilization and Partnership Manager at GADA, provided valuable insights into securing funding for SGBV projects. The online seminar covered key topics such as identifying grant opportunities, analyzing eligibility criteria, and writing compelling grant proposals. This session equipped participants with information, resources, and strategies for effective resource mobilization.

Grant Essentials; National Legal Obligations for CSOs and NGOs (November 15th, 2024)

Madam Martha Onose, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment and Development Initiative, Delta State, was the lead facilitator. She discussed key issues related to legal compliance for CSOs within the non-profit sector. The online seminar was significant due to the introduction of new national laws, policies, and legal compliance guidelines pertinent to the sector. She stressed the importance for CSOs to be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), filing yearly annual returns with organizational audited reports and financial statements, and checking organizational status on the CAC website. She also discussed the importance of setting up a Board that works in the best interest of the organisation, ensuring the membership of a Lawyer, and a chartered accountant as stipulated by law.

16 Days of Activism Campaign: Amplifying Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Sensitisation across the South-South Region

The 16 Days of Activism campaign highlighted the hub’s joint advocacy effort. GADA championed the production of advocacy flyers, curated from the messages sent by various partners of the hub for online activism.

In addition, five organizations in 5 States implemented a wide range of initiatives to raise awareness about SGBV and promote gender equality during the “16 Days of Activism” in 2024. The following organizations led several local groups and individuals to conduct various interventions.

Justice Development and Peace, Benin – Edo State organized a Facebook live session on fundamental human rights, and sensitization and discussion sessions on SGBV. These activities reinforced the importance of human rights education and community engagement in combating SGBV.

Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative – Rivers State held a “Feminist Action Lab,” male intergenerational dialogues, and school-based art sessions to engage diverse groups in conversations about SGBV. These activities fostered a deeper understanding of SGBV and encouraged men and boys to take an active role in prevention efforts.

Benny’s Development Initiative – Bayelsa State conducted school outreach campaigns, sensitizing students on various forms of SGBV and the importance of speaking out against abuse. These efforts aimed to empower young people with knowledge and tools to protect themselves and others.

Community Empowerment and Development Initiative – Delta State conducted sensitization programs in schools, linking SGBV prevention with HIV/AIDS awareness. These sessions informed students how to protect themselves from violence and access support services.

FIDA Cross River State organized a sensitization walk in Calabar, drawing attention to the urgent need to end SGBV. The event emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing SGBV.

Strengthening Collaboration and Information Sharing through Virtual Platform Development

One of the hub’s core objectives is to foster networking, collaboration and information sharing among CSOs, NGOs, and other stakeholders working on SGBV prevention. In 2024, considerable progress was made in this area. The hub is now recognized as reliable online platform, which provides a centralized space for sharing information, resources, best practices, and research on SGBV prevention. It has become a vital tool for networking and learning among organizations in the region. For instance, GADA presented and shared research findings from an extensive quantitative and qualitative study on SGBV in Cross River State, which prompted significant interest and discussion.

Conclusion

Over the past year, we have learned that an online platform for advocacy, learning, information sharing, and training on SGBV issues must include clear communication, build trust, value every member's participation, and promote collective ownership and accountability. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that activities are relevant to members' needs and address their challenges. Despite a number of challenges, South-South SGBV Hub has made remarkable progress within its first year, thanks to the commitment of its partners, stakeholders, and GADA’s leadership.